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Need some help starting out.

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:54 am
by BubblyScarlet
Hi, I'm Bubbly and am new to Love2d and Lua coding in general.
I mainly want to try a 2d platformer to start but didn't find many tutorials on them.
I am a pixel artist and have wanted to make games for a long time, but I'm having trouble starting out because most of the tutorials I h8ave come across seem to be outdated or aimed towards people with coding experience.
Yes I did follow the wiki, but I kind of got lost a little bit.
If anyone could give me some tips and lead me on the way I'd be very thankful.
(P.s, sorry if someone has already posted something like this I must have not seen it when I searched the forum.)

Re: Need some help starting out.

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 2:45 am
by davisdude
Hey Bubbly! :D
As a general rule, you may want to start with something easier than a platformer- your first game should not be a huge commitment; it should be something that teaches you the basics, and while you're doing this, you learn what you like, what you dislike, etc.
Aside from that, don't be afraid to use libraries. A LOT of people (myself included) come in thinking "I want to make it ALL myself," which is just unreasonable. Don't be afraid to use what somebody else has already made as long as it fits your needs.

Here are some good posts about commitment and starting your first game.
Here are some good posts about libraries you should consider using.
Especially this one.
Also, here's something for platformers.

Re: Need some help starting out.

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:52 am
by ivan
I agree with Davisdude.
A platformer is not a good starting project.
The main reason is that classic platformers require a lot of content.
So it's a lot of work, especially if you're still learning to program.
I would advise to start out with something that doesn't have a lot of content.
Something like an endless running game (Flappy Bird) or a simple puzzler.
If you prefer to draw pixel art then just do that and find somebody more experienced to put the code together for you.
Good pixel art is hard enough on its own.

Re: Need some help starting out.

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:42 am
by Sosolol261
davisdude wrote:Hey Bubbly! :D
As a general rule, you may want to start with something easier than a platformer- your first game should not be a huge commitment; it should be something that teaches you the basics, and while you're doing this, you learn what you like, what you dislike, etc.
Aside from that, don't be afraid to use libraries. A LOT of people (myself included) come in thinking "I want to make it ALL myself," which is just unreasonable. Don't be afraid to use what somebody else has already made as long as it fits your needs.

Here are some good posts about commitment and starting your first game.
Here are some good posts about libraries you should consider using.
Especially this one.
Also, here's something for platformers.
OMG OMG OMG you tagged my post XD

Re: Need some help starting out.

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:51 am
by TheOddByte
Why not start out with something basic? Like Pong? It'll teach you basic collision checking and movement etc.
And when you complete it you move on to something more advanced, learning Lua and LÖVE step by step.